Coaching in Threes
Coaching in Threes
To add some imagination and variation to any coaching session the coach could intertwine parts of the session with mini unit work carried out in groups of three. There are many aspects of the game that can be built upon by starting with a group this size which can provide very specific coaching in the technical and tactical parts and can easily fit within a coaching topic that is being carried out at that time.
BACK ATTACK & PHASE ATTACK
Emphasise the importance of the ball carrier having at least two options when threatening the defence.
The two support players need to learn the best position to be on the ball carrier and may be required to clean out, take a short pass, take an early pass on a different angle with change of pace, and then know what to do when receiving the ball. The ball carrier practices being a threat by changing pace and changing angle before making a pass or driving through the space ready to make a pop pass. Another group of three can take over at the second tackle point in any drill that you set up.
There are all sorts of aspects that can be practiced unopposed in warm ups such as the ball carrier changing angle and pace and the two support players operating so that they are either pulling a defender away or hitting in to a hole or a weak shoulder.
For these concepts it would be a good idea to work the ‘threes’ within a bigger unit.
These sorts of constant practices will pay dividends eventually and should be practiced with contact as well. Start with a pre-determined pattern, include the technical detail, and develop it from there. In a game it would hopefully take place of the constant flat and static passing which is common.
Use the key phrase: “Work in Threes”.
A possible pattern for phase play with the 2nd receiver being the No 1 in this drill: You are only inhibited by your imagination.
SCRUMMAGING
Many of the necessary aspects of scrummaging can be worked on with this small number. The core strength; body shapes; binding; timing; creating and sustaining pressure; leg strength and positioning are a few.
Examples: The Front Row. Versus a scrum machine / 3 v 3. The coach will be attending to the binding, the body shape, feet positioning, the hit, maintaining the pressure, striking for the ball. The coaching aspects will depend on team ability and requirements.
1 + 2 versus machine / 1 + 2 versus 2 + 1: This exercise will add considerably to the trunk strength and highlight other aspects. Team 1 will include the tighthead with a flanker and a lock binding on him against a loosehead and hooker bound together with a lock binding in the gap.
2 + 1 versus machine and 2 + 1: This can be your second rowers and number 8 as the 2 + 1.
I’m sure that you will soon work out some more options working in threes. The important aspect will be safety so the session will need to be overseen with clarity about the expectations and the disciplines that go with this.
For more advanced groups this set up can provide the first stages of hitting with a right side up, squeezing and locking, and any other aspects you normally carry out as a whole pack.
There are any number of these activities in the Coaching Toolbox and in particular in the Rugby Smart packages.
SCRUMS- ATTACK & DEFENCE
This is best started with 7, 8 & 9 when running right but will require 6 and others soon to be added. If going left 6, 8 & 9 will be the initial three but with others soon added.
Create attacking options running to the right with an 8-9 platform. What are the roles of all these players? Where does the ball leave the scrum? How quickly is it required? What lines do they run in support and with the ball? What is their likely key moment for the play to be successful?
If the play is to go left run through a similar set of questions each time and make sure they are answered satisfactorily.
On defence on the right hand side who are 7, 8 & 9 responsible for and what lines do they run? Each team may have a slightly different plan depending on the physical capabilities of their players.
If the opposition are going to the left of the defenders it is important to know the roles of 6, 8 & 9 before bringing the next closest player in to the action. Does 9 chase around hard or drop back for example.
The best way to begin this exercise would be with two groups of loosies and halfbacks plus a couple of wingers and fullbacks coming in to the play. Try walking through the activity before going at full pace. Play around with what works best for you.
LINEOUTS
The most obvious group is the jumper with his two lifters practicing the technical aspects unopposed and then developing these against another group of three with movement between cones or by adding a thrower to the mix and attacking or defending in a set area.
This is a good time to develop jumping techniques that are both explosive and with slight movement forward or back to deceive the opponent. For the defender he can work on which player he is watching to gain his trigger to jump with the lifters responding to the jumper.
This activity could be carried out for 10 minutes prior to every training session and develop in to the first stages of the drive and defending the drive. If the defenders can upset the initial platform at the drive by splintering the group or getting it off balance then the rest of the process can be introduced.
Other aspects such as the front lifter and jumper working in conjunction with the thrower for a tricky throw in can be practiced along with variations such as throwing over the back to the halfback with an explosive forward as his first support. There are limitless ideas if the coach takes time to think about them and gets the players to come up with some ideas of their own.
10-12-13 ATTACK & DEFENCE
With the coach acting as halfback (or indeed using the halfback as well) this group can organize the attack and defence formations dependant on the plan they are operating under and the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals.
Set some questions to be answered for the attack – how do we make sure the opposition are committed defensively from 10 outwards? What lines does each player run and at what pace to create maximum threat? What plays will we use to create our own penetration? What are the support lines and roles? What do we have to do create space and numbers on the outsides? What are the key roles of each player as set out to fit in to the overall team pattern?
Defensively what different patterns can we use to place the attack under most pressure? What do we do when we are outnumbered? What do we do when we have more numbers? What is the basic philosophy and technical aspects we operate under?
After practicing unopposed it is then best to play 3 v 3. The extension of that will be 4 v 3 and 3 v 4 before leading in to 7 v 6, 6 v 7 etc.
11-14-15 ATTACK & DEFENCE
It is important that each of these players knows exactly what his positional requirements are on defence in various game situations and then how they work together as the attack takes place and each player moves to different parts of the field.
This can be outlined with unopposed situations which work their way in to a variety of attacking scenarios. There are a lot of questions to be answered and these need to be posed: when does each player start the movement forward or across ? What area is each responsible for at various times during the play? When should each player return to his original position? What does a wing do when defending on the short side? When should he tackle ‘in’ on the openside? Where does the fullback defend inside the 22?
There are many more scenarios which can be talked and walked before setting them up in a team situation.
Counter attack is the simplest attacking practice for this group with key areas being the communication, moving in to positions to support one another, deciding which area to attack, knowing when to change direction and so on. A couple of extra backs/loose forwards can be added to these drills.
Activities such as taking the high ball and chasing the high ball can be added, as well as the fullback and wing/s working a plan that they will use in confined spaces particularly near the sideline.
### The idea of having three players is just that. Sometimes the group would work better with four or five, or two groups of three and so on.
The important aspect is to break down the set piece or phase play in to various aspects that make up the whole and practice those smaller aspects. Fitting them all together and seeing them succeed during a game is just one of the satisfying aspects of coaching.
Use your imagination and work ‘out of the square’.
Show your players how organised you are by having several scrum groups operating at the same time as the back three ( plus centre) are working some defensive scenarios against a kick chase from 9 or 10 with 12 & 13 also carrying out their roles.